Living a Lifestyle of Worship and Prayer
Summary
### Summary
Today, we embark on a new series focusing on the five essential steps to live and walk the Christian life, starting with prayer and worship. These two elements are intrinsically linked; a lifestyle of prayer naturally leads to a lifestyle of worship, and vice versa. Our passage from John 11 and 12 sets the stage for understanding the depth of worship and prayer. Jesus, after raising Lazarus from the dead, faces threats from religious leaders, yet He continues to engage in intimate fellowship with His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. This setting provides a rich backdrop for exploring different expressions of worship.
Worship is not merely an activity confined to Sunday services; it is a lifestyle that permeates every aspect of our lives. We are created to worship, and every person will worship something or someone. The question is, what or who will we worship? True worship flows from a heart of gratitude and is expressed in various forms—raising hands, kneeling, dancing, and even shouting. It is an outward expression of our relationship with Jesus, reflecting our daily walk with Him.
Martha, Lazarus, and Mary each demonstrate unique expressions of worship. Martha serves diligently, showing that true servanthood flows from a heart of gratitude. Lazarus exemplifies the importance of simply being in Jesus' presence, practicing the presence of God without distraction. Mary’s extravagant act of anointing Jesus with costly perfume illustrates worship that is both costly and prophetic. Her act of pouring out a year's worth of wages in perfume signifies total surrender and devotion to Jesus.
Worship is costly and requires us to prioritize our time with Jesus. It is not dependent on our circumstances but on who God is. True worship involves every part of our being and is a natural response to our relationship with Jesus. It is not about us; it is all about Him. Our lives should be a living hallelujah, an ongoing expression of worship that extends beyond the church walls into our daily interactions and responsibilities.
### Key Takeaways
- Worship as a Lifestyle: Worship is not confined to Sunday services but is a lifestyle that should permeate every aspect of our lives. It is an outward expression of our relationship with Jesus, reflecting our daily walk with Him. True worship flows from a heart of gratitude and is expressed in various forms, such as raising hands, kneeling, and dancing. [09:59]
- The Importance of Servanthood: Martha's diligent service shows that true servanthood flows from a heart of gratitude. Serving Jesus and others should come from a place of love and worship, not from a need to impress or out of obligation. True servanthood is an expression of worship and is essential in our walk with Christ. [18:06]
- Practicing the Presence of God: Lazarus exemplifies the importance of simply being in Jesus' presence. Practicing the presence of God involves setting aside distractions and spending quality, planned time with Jesus. This practice is essential for a life of worship and helps us to know Jesus more intimately. [30:00]
- Extravagant Worship: Mary’s act of anointing Jesus with costly perfume illustrates worship that is both costly and prophetic. True worship often requires sacrifice and total surrender. It is not about holding back but pouring out everything in devotion to Jesus. This kind of worship is a natural response to knowing who Jesus is and what He has done. [41:29]
- Worship Beyond Circumstances: Worship is not dependent on our circumstances but on who God is. It is an act of obedience and devotion, regardless of how we feel or what we are going through. True worship comes from a revelation of who God is and flows naturally from a heart of gratitude. [27:35]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:58] - Introduction to the Series
[02:49] - Context from John 11 and 12
[04:47] - Prayer and Worship Connection
[05:14] - Corporate Worship
[06:25] - The DNA of Worship
[07:00] - Worship Beyond Circumstances
[09:59] - Worship as a Lifestyle
[12:08] - Jesus in Our Homes
[17:21] - Martha’s Servanthood
[22:42] - Balance in Service
[28:56] - Lazarus’ Presence
[30:00] - Practicing the Presence of God
[41:29] - Mary’s Extravagant Worship
[47:20] - Prophetic Worship
[48:56] - Personal Worship and Loyalty
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 11:53-12:11
#### Observation Questions
1. What significant event had just occurred before Jesus visited Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in John 11:53-12:11?
2. How did Martha, Lazarus, and Mary each express their worship to Jesus during the dinner party? [12:59]
3. What was Judas Iscariot's reaction to Mary's act of anointing Jesus, and what does this reveal about his character? [03:33]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Martha's act of serving reflect her heart of gratitude and worship towards Jesus? [18:06]
2. What does Lazarus' act of simply being in Jesus' presence teach us about the importance of practicing the presence of God? [30:00]
3. Why is Mary's act of anointing Jesus with costly perfume considered both extravagant and prophetic? [41:29]
#### Application Questions
1. Worship as a Lifestyle: Reflect on your daily life. In what ways can you make worship a more integral part of your everyday activities, beyond just Sunday services? [09:59]
2. The Importance of Servanthood: Think about your current acts of service. Are they coming from a place of love and gratitude, or do you sometimes feel stressed and anxious like Martha initially did? How can you shift your mindset to serve as an act of worship? [18:06]
3. Practicing the Presence of God: When was the last time you set aside distractions to spend quality time with Jesus? What steps can you take to ensure you have planned, uninterrupted time with Him this week? [30:00]
4. Extravagant Worship: Mary’s worship was costly and sacrificial. Is there something in your life that you are holding back from Jesus? What would it look like for you to pour out everything in devotion to Him? [41:29]
5. Worship Beyond Circumstances: How do you typically respond in worship when you are going through difficult times? What can you do to focus more on who God is rather than your circumstances? [27:35]
6. Personal Worship and Loyalty: Mary’s act of wiping Jesus' feet with her hair was a personal and intimate expression of loyalty. How can you demonstrate your loyalty and commitment to Jesus in your daily life? [48:56]
7. Corporate Worship: How can you encourage and participate in corporate worship within your church community, ensuring it is a genuine expression of your relationship with Jesus? [05:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship as a Lifestyle
Worship is not confined to Sunday services but is a lifestyle that should permeate every aspect of our lives. It is an outward expression of our relationship with Jesus, reflecting our daily walk with Him. True worship flows from a heart of gratitude and is expressed in various forms, such as raising hands, kneeling, and dancing. [09:59]
Worship is not just an activity reserved for Sunday mornings; it is a way of life that should influence every part of our daily existence. True worship flows from a heart of gratitude and is expressed in various forms, such as raising hands, kneeling, and dancing. It is an outward expression of our relationship with Jesus, reflecting our daily walk with Him. Worship is about recognizing God's worth and responding to His love and grace in our lives. It is a continuous act of devotion that extends beyond the church walls into our homes, workplaces, and communities.
When we live a lifestyle of worship, we acknowledge God's presence in every moment and seek to honor Him in all that we do. This means that our actions, words, and thoughts should be a reflection of our love and reverence for God. Worship becomes a natural response to our relationship with Jesus, and it transforms the way we live our lives. It is not about us; it is all about Him. Our lives should be a living hallelujah, an ongoing expression of worship that extends beyond the church walls into our daily interactions and responsibilities.
Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV): "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!"
Reflection: How can you incorporate acts of worship into your daily routine, beyond just attending church services?
Day 2: The Importance of Servanthood
Martha's diligent service shows that true servanthood flows from a heart of gratitude. Serving Jesus and others should come from a place of love and worship, not from a need to impress or out of obligation. True servanthood is an expression of worship and is essential in our walk with Christ. [18:06]
Martha's example of diligent service highlights the importance of serving Jesus and others from a heart of gratitude. True servanthood is not about seeking recognition or fulfilling obligations; it is an expression of worship that flows from a place of love and devotion. When we serve others, we are ultimately serving Jesus, and our actions should reflect our gratitude for His love and grace in our lives. Serving with a heart of gratitude transforms our actions into acts of worship, and it allows us to honor God in practical ways.
True servanthood is essential in our walk with Christ because it helps us to develop a heart of humility and selflessness. When we serve others, we are following the example of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. Our service should be motivated by love and a desire to glorify God, rather than a need to impress others or fulfill obligations. By serving with a heart of gratitude, we can experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a life of worship and devotion to Jesus.
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: In what ways can you serve others this week as an expression of your worship and gratitude to God?
Day 3: Practicing the Presence of God
Lazarus exemplifies the importance of simply being in Jesus' presence. Practicing the presence of God involves setting aside distractions and spending quality, planned time with Jesus. This practice is essential for a life of worship and helps us to know Jesus more intimately. [30:00]
Lazarus' example of simply being in Jesus' presence highlights the importance of practicing the presence of God in our daily lives. Practicing the presence of God involves setting aside distractions and intentionally spending quality time with Jesus. This practice is essential for a life of worship because it helps us to develop a deeper and more intimate relationship with Him. When we prioritize time with Jesus, we are able to experience His love, peace, and guidance in a profound way.
Practicing the presence of God requires intentionality and discipline. It means creating space in our busy lives to be still and focus on Jesus. This can involve activities such as prayer, meditation, reading Scripture, and simply sitting in silence before God. By making time to be in God's presence, we can cultivate a heart of worship and grow in our understanding of who He is. This practice helps us to stay connected to Jesus and allows His presence to permeate every aspect of our lives.
Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Reflection: How can you create intentional time and space in your daily routine to practice the presence of God and deepen your relationship with Jesus?
Day 4: Extravagant Worship
Mary’s act of anointing Jesus with costly perfume illustrates worship that is both costly and prophetic. True worship often requires sacrifice and total surrender. It is not about holding back but pouring out everything in devotion to Jesus. This kind of worship is a natural response to knowing who Jesus is and what He has done. [41:29]
Mary's act of anointing Jesus with costly perfume is a powerful example of extravagant worship. Her act of pouring out a year's worth of wages in perfume signifies total surrender and devotion to Jesus. True worship often requires sacrifice and total surrender, and it is not about holding back but pouring out everything in devotion to Jesus. This kind of worship is a natural response to knowing who Jesus is and what He has done in our lives. It is an expression of our love and gratitude for His sacrifice and grace.
Extravagant worship is not limited to material offerings; it can also involve giving our time, talents, and resources to honor God. It requires us to prioritize our relationship with Jesus above all else and to be willing to make sacrifices for His sake. This kind of worship is prophetic because it declares the worth and significance of Jesus in our lives. It is a powerful testimony of our faith and devotion, and it inspires others to seek a deeper relationship with Him.
2 Samuel 24:24 (ESV): "But the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can offer extravagant worship to Jesus, even if it requires sacrifice and total surrender?
Day 5: Worship Beyond Circumstances
Worship is not dependent on our circumstances but on who God is. It is an act of obedience and devotion, regardless of how we feel or what we are going through. True worship comes from a revelation of who God is and flows naturally from a heart of gratitude. [27:35]
Worship is not dependent on our circumstances but on who God is. It is an act of obedience and devotion, regardless of how we feel or what we are going through. True worship comes from a revelation of who God is and flows naturally from a heart of gratitude. When we understand the greatness and goodness of God, we can worship Him in any situation, knowing that He is worthy of our praise. Worshiping beyond our circumstances allows us to focus on God's character and promises, rather than our temporary challenges.
Worshiping beyond our circumstances requires a shift in perspective. It means choosing to praise God even when things are difficult, trusting that He is in control and that He is working all things for our good. This kind of worship is an act of faith and trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. It helps us to maintain a heart of gratitude and to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, rather than being overwhelmed by our circumstances. By worshiping beyond our circumstances, we can experience God's peace and presence in a deeper way.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: How can you choose to worship God today, regardless of your current circumstances, and focus on His character and promises?
Quotes
1. "Worship is something that you cannot help. We are designed to worship. And every single person in this room will worship. The question is, what will we worship? Every single thing in our DNA is put in us from our creator himself. The desire to worship. And every single person will worship something or someone. It might even be yourself. But every single person in this room will worship something or someone. Why? Because you can't help it. Because it's in your DNA to do so. It's what you created for." [05:51] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We are not called to give thanks because everything in our lives is going wonderfully and everything is rosy and everything is great and everything is as we love it. We are not called to worship him because of that. Our praise is not merely in words but from the heart and with every part of our being. We are meant to be a living hallelujah. How many Christians are a living hallelujah? We should be a living example. A living demonstration of who Jesus is. That's an act of worship." [07:00] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Worship is a lifestyle. It's a natural expression of a relationship that we are in. You see, I go to the football game. When I go to the football game, I wear my Albion shirt. But that's not the only place I wear it. I wear it when I go shopping. I wear it when I'm on holiday. And yet we wear our colours in church on a Sunday. And for the rest of the week, you wouldn't even know we go to church. Because our lives are not an expression of worship to God. Sometimes they are anything but." [09:59] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "How we do our job is an expression of worship. How we treat our children is an expression of worship. How we treat our spouse is an expression of worship. How we relate. How we react. It's all an expression of worship. Because worship is an outward expression of what is within." [10:32] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Would Jesus feel comfortable in your house? Would Jesus feel comfortable watching what you watch on TV? Would Jesus? Would Jesus feel comfortable with the conversations you have? Would Jesus feel comfortable listening to what you listen to? And believe me I've asked the same question of myself. Because it's always to me first. Would he feel comfortable? But he went there. He felt comfortable. He was with his disciples. It's six days from Passover. He's going to die next week. Would he feel welcome in our homes? Or would he not even be invited?" [12:08] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "When we serve Jesus out of an attitude of gratitude to Him and it's about Him, and not us, then it becomes an expression of worship to Him and for Him. But Jesus was used to visiting their home and they were used to spending time with Jesus. So her service was now out of an attitude of gratitude to Jesus and not a need to impress. It was all about Him and not her. Worship is a lifestyle flowing from spending time in worship, prayer and fellowship with Jesus. Like I said, if we can't do it at home, we'll never do it." [27:35] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When was the last time you spent time with Jesus alone and not your soaps? When was the last time you spent time alone with Jesus without your phone? And I'm speaking to myself. Just Jesus, all other distractions put away or turned off. And it's just you and Jesus all alone together. He's got your full attention. Your ears are open to hear and your heart is ready to receive. And you're just relaxing, basking in the presence of God. Because that's where we need to be regularly." [32:14] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If we want to spend time with Jesus and really know Jesus, then every other distraction that gets in the way, that hinders us from spending quality time with Him, really needs to be moved aside. I guarantee you, if I'm trying to spend time with Jesus with the telly on, I'm kind of half listening to Jesus and half watching the telly." [31:02] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "True worship is costly. If it isn't, it ain't true worship. It's true for Mary, true for David, and it's true for us. It's costly in our finances, because giving is an act of worship. Oh, I can't afford to give to the Lord. We'll cut out the extra burger. I'll be serious with you. I'm not begging for money. I'm saying it's a principle that if anything else replaces what we're supposed to give to God, it has to go. It's costly in our time, because saying yes to Jesus means saying no to God." [45:49] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "The measure we give to him determines how much we value him. If we can't come to him every day, there's something wrong. I don't give to get to him. I don't give to get to anything. Because if we give to get back from God, then that's all about us." [47:20] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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